Hey, Mary: I think the Cavs should consider acquiring Paul Pierce for the last year of his current contract. He would give Mike Brown a respected veteran voice and can help show the youngsters how to be a professional. He averaged 18.6 points and 6.2 rebounds last year. Play him 25-30 minutes a game. Then when the season is over, there is still cap space to bring in one of the 2014 free agents. -- Mitch Schwartz, Fairfield, Calif.

Hey, Mitch: I don't think it will be the 35-year-old Pierce, but I do think the Cavs will try to make a move to acquire a significant veteran in the near future to pair with their young talent. They have money and draft picks to deal, and I think they've determined the time to win is now.

Hey, Mary: There doesn't appear to be a franchise player in this draft. If the Cavs win the lottery they should use it as trade bait. Perhaps go after Kevin Love or DeMarcus Cousins. What do you think? -- Joe, Poland, Ohio

Hey, Joe: Cousins doesn't fit the Cavs' profile, and the Wolves are doing everything they can to mend fences with Love. The Cavs are still gathering information on possible draft choices, but if they come to the same conclusion you have, they won't hesitate to make the kind of move you're suggesting.

Hey, Angelo: No disrespect to Sloan, one of my all-time favorites, but the Cavs didn't consider him as a replacement for Byron Scott. They thought Mike Brown was the best available candidate on the market and moved quickly to hire him, knowing how many coaching openings there would be and how coveted Brown would be.

Hey, Mary: The Cavs need another big man. The best prospect in the draft is Kentucky's Nerlens Noel, but he most likely is going to get drafted No. 1. I'm thinking if the Cavs don't get that pick they should go out and sign Greg Oden. He's just 25, and I think is a low-risk/high-reward option. What do you think? -- Anthony Ocacio, Brunswick

Hey, Anthony: The Cavs have admitted their interest in Oden, but it takes two sides to make a deal. Oden is working out hard in an effort to return to the NBA, and he'll have several suitors. Most of them will be willing to pay him more than the Cavs.

Hey, Mary: Do you have any idea what would happen if anyone simply refused to pay a fine to the NBA? I ask because I am tired of watching people get fined for making critical but very reasonable remarks about NBA officiating. Take Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. He is being fined $35,000 for saying he thought LeBron flopped, which he did. I just put myself in his shoes, and I know there is no chance that I would ever fork over a shiny nickel for that sort of comment, let alone $35,000. Has anyone ever set that precedent? Did they get suspended? -- Matthew Coan, Wayland, Mass.

Hey, Matthew: It has never happened, so I don't know how the league would respond. In most cases, I think the coaches see the money as well spent in order to make their points.

Hey, Mary: The Cavs probably will stay quiet in free agency this summer, but what free agent do you believe would be the best fit for this young team? -- Devin, Sandusky

Hey, Devin: With their new emphasis on defense, I'd like to see them try to sign Andre Iguodala, though he likely will return to Denver.

Hey, Mary: After watching Dion Waiters for a full season, do you believe he would be a better fit as a sixth man -- an energy guy off the bench? That would allow the Cavs to start a better defender and shooter alongside Kyrie. Thoughts? -- Will Saunders, Pittsburgh

Hey, Will: Waiters has indicated his preference is to start, although he has been very effective as a sixth man -- at Syracuse and with the Cavs. Right now the two other options to start at shooting guard would be C.J. Miles or Wayne Ellington. The Cavs have a team option on Miles, and Ellington is a restricted free agent. Let's wait and see who's on the roster when training camp starts before we try to answer this question.

Hey, Mary: Do you think the Cavs would take Klay Thompson or Kawhi Leonard instead of Tristan Thompson at No. 4 if they could have a redo of the 2011 draft? Thompson gets kudos in C-Town for his hard work and blue collar efforts, but not sure the NBA views him so positively in terms of upside skill growth.

The Spurs drafted Leonard 15th and at least seven players drafted before 15 are now pretty much busts. No wonder the Spurs have been consistent winners for so long. The "other" Thompson -- Klay -- is off the charts and has superstar written all over him. He is also developing elite defensive skills too (Kyrie Irving, please take note). -- Tim Corbett, Ladera Ranch, Calif.

Hey, Tim: Certainly Klay Thompson would help offensively, and Leonard would help defensively. That being said, the Cavs would still take Tristan Thompson. They love his work ethic and his upside, how much he has already improved and how high his ceiling is.

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